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Angélique Kidjo
Five-time Grammy-winning singer & activist
Benin's voice to the world — and a relentless advocate for African girls.
The rise
Fleeing political repression in Benin, Kidjo built a global career fusing West African traditions with jazz, funk and Latin sounds.
What they did
A five-time Grammy winner, she has collaborated across continents, served as a UNICEF ambassador, and founded a fund to educate girls in Africa.
The full picture
Decades of touring and advocacy have made her a cultural diplomat, though the systemic barriers she fights remain vast.
Why it matters
Kidjo shows how an artist can carry a continent's creativity — and its causes — onto the world's biggest stages.
“Africa is the future. Our young people will change everything.”